Are You Addicted to Online Shopping?

The days of leaving your house to shop are long gone. Thanks to the internet, shopping from your home has never been easier. Now that the wait for ordering items online is no longer 5-7 business days, there’s nothing stopping someone from purchasing with a click of a button. With online shopping made so easy, how do you know if you are doing it too much?

According to a 2013 article from the American Journal on Addictions, nearly 7% of Americans are compulsive shoppers. That 7% is roughly 2 million people! And that’s from 2013, who knows how much higher the number is now. The CGS Team acknowledges a woman’s desire to shop, but only when it’s budgeted for. You may not realize how bad your online shopping is, but we’re here to help. We’re sharing 6 signs that could mean you have an addiction to online shopping. If you have any of these signs, don’t worry. Get yourself on a budget and put the computer away!

Sign #1: Without online shopping, you couldn’t get through your day

Does online shopping make it easier to get through your day at work or school? Have you made a habit of shopping online when you should be doing other things? When online shopping becomes the highlight of your day, it may be time to reevaluate.

Sign #2: Online shopping makes you relax and feel better

After a rough day, is online shopping the best fix to help you relax? Does online shopping make you feel better after an argument or altercation? If online shopping is a means of making you feel better when you’re down, start looking other happiness alternatives.

Sign #3: Even though you have debt, you continue to shop online

Do you have debt but still manage to find a way to shop online? Does the thought of “who cares, I’ll figure it out” take over? If you know you shouldn’t be buying anything until your credit card is paid off, then online shopping is no different. The next time you get the urge to purchase something, take a look at your growing credit card balance.

Sign #4: After shopping online, you feel guilty

Are you excited to buy something online, only to regret it after you click “purchase”? Does the guilt of online shopping overwhelm you? If you didn’t feel like you were doing something wrong, you wouldn’t feel guilty.

Sign #5: Your friends or family make comments about your online shopping habits

Do you hear comments or remarks from friends or family about your shopping habits? Have you noticed an increase in questions about items you buy online? If your shopping has become so bad that others take notice, an online shopping “relax” period is in order.

Sign #6: You hide the items you buy for fear of what others may think

Do you live with your family or a boyfriend and hide the items you buy online? Do you keep track of the delivery route to ensure you get the package before anyone else sees? If you need to hide something, you probably shouldn’t be buying it in the first place.

Just because you have the money to online shop doesn’t mean you should. What about that new car or house you want? Is it worth delaying that accomplishment to buy clothes or shoes right now? Understanding you have a problem is the first step. The next step is to do something about it! The CGS Team can help. Check out the personal finance coaching services available to members of the City Girl Savings community.

Have you been the victim of an online shopping addiction? How do you stop yourself from shopping online when you know you can’t afford it? We want to know how the CGS community handles online shopping, so leave a comment below and let’s start discussing!

-The CGS Team